Solihull Moors manager Liam McDonald has insisted that Harry White remains his first choice striker, despite rumours that the 22-year-old was close to a move away from the club.
The former Barnsley forward missed last week’s draw at home to Braintree Town, with rumours circulating that White missed the game as he was on the verge of a move to National League North side Kidderminster Harriers.
Speaking in his weekly column on the club’s official website, McDonald insisted that a knee injury was behind the striker’s absence from the fixture and has confirmed that White will miss the next two weeks with the problem.
The Moors boss also discussed the exciting 3-3 draw against Braintree from last weekend and looked ahead to this Saturday’s crucial clash away at North Ferriby United in the National League.
Here’s what the 32-year-old has to say:
‘I have good memories about North Ferriby United as it was my first home game with the Moors back in November and the 2-0 win was very welcome after back to back defeats away at Barrow and Torquay. I have not been to North Ferriby but know it is not the easiest ground from which to take points. Moreover in the last couple of weeks Ferriby have beaten both Guiseley (away) and Woking (home), so this is shaping up as one of out toughest matches yet again.
I think that both Moors and North Ferriby were tipped as relegation contenders from the outset and the ‘Villagers’ are fighting for their lives in this division. We desperately need three points as well from Saturday which will bring us so very close to safety. Having said that, full credit to both our clubs – small fish in a big pond!
No team has a divine right to stay in the National League and last Saturday was a clear indication that we need to be better in defence. I make no excuses but it was a hard match and we played Liam Daly despite his injury when he could have done with time for it to heal. However on the Thursday training session prior to the game Calum Flanagan picked up a nasty knock and the decision was taken out of my hands. Liam’s performance was inspirational!
Why do we sometimes play a lone striker up front? Simply because it gives us better options in midfield and in particular can prevent us from being over run whilst helping the team to keep its shape. I don’t usually highlight any one particular squad member but I would like to say a few words about Harry White. Harry is my first choice for the number 9 shirt and is a key member of the squad. He is the lone striker up front on many occasions, a difficult task but one to which he gives 100% and his finishing can be clinical. We look forward to having him back fully fit in a couple of weeks.
At half time in the Braintree game I gave the lads five minutes to reflect on what had happened – we cannot legislate for mistakes but at all levels they happen all the time and last weekend we were punished. The players take this on the chin and take responsibility for it but the need was to concentrate on how were going to level the match or even win it!
Invariably we score most weeks and I told the lads that I was sure we would get back at Braintree – to read their comments after the match to the effect that they were lucky to get one point was testament to how the players reacted in the final 45 minutes.
The atmosphere at 3-2 was electric and when we equalised it was deafening. Footballers respond to that – they find a couple of per cent more energy and that type of support made all the difference.
We value your support so much but I know the rebuilding of the team and the changes that entailed can be hard on you the fans. But as I have said before this is a family club and we all embrace both winning and losing together. So keep the noise at last week levels throughout our future games and I think you will be well rewarded. I have massive belief in these players and know they can compete with any team in this league.
Andy Brown is a week or so away from his come back and Connor Franklin is now ready to rejoin the squad after his lengthy injury. It gives me plenty of options which is good as the prepare ourselves for the end of season run in. The next 5 games are key to the clubs in the bottom half of this tight league. The lads know that on their day any of these clubs are capable of beating one another and we relish the task ahead of us starting with North Ferriby.’
Solihull Moors currently sit 15th place in the National League, seven points above the relegation zone. With this in mind, Liam McDonald will be hoping his players can pick up a very important three points against 23rd-place North Ferriby United on Saturday, before they travel to 2nd-placed Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night.
Will you be at Grange Lane on Saturday? Will the Moors beat the Villagers? Let us know your predictions in the comments section below!
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